Destinations · 山形県 · Tohoku
Yamagata
Yamagata (山形県) is a prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan; its capital is Yamagata (山形市).
Last checked · Sources
Yamagata in numbers
In 2025 about 252,000 foreign visitors came to Yamagata — 33rd of the 47 prefectures. They spent an average of 59,000 yen each in the prefecture and stayed 2.2 nights there on average.
Foreign guests accounted for 6.6% of all guest nights booked in Yamagata in 2025, up 22.0% on 2024 and +33.5% against 2019.
Visitors from Taiwan are the most likely to include Yamagata in a trip (2.2% did in 2025), followed by Hong Kong (1.2%) and France (1.1%).
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Foreign visitors in 2025 | 252,000 (rank 33 of 47) |
| Average spend per visitor in the prefecture | 59,000 yen |
| Total spend by foreign visitors | 14.8 billion yen |
| Average nights spent in the prefecture | 2.2 |
| Foreign guest nights in 2025 (hotels, ryokan and other lodging) | 312,560 |
| Share of all guest nights that were foreign | 6.6% |
| Foreign guest nights vs 2024 | +22.0% |
| Foreign guest nights vs 2019 | +33.5% |
| Share of surveyed visitors who went to Yamagata | 0.6% |
| Nationalities most likely to visit | Taiwan 2.2%, Hong Kong 1.2%, France 1.1% |
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final), summary report (regional survey) (都道府県別 訪問者数・消費単価・旅行消費額・平均泊数（地域調査）). Period: 2025-01 to 2025-12. Unit: visitors_10k = 10,000 persons; spend_per_person_10k_yen = 10,000 yen; spend_100m_yen = 100 million yen; nights = average nights.
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 annual (final) (都道府県別 延べ宿泊者数（外国人・全体）、2024年・2019年は同調査の各年確定値). Period: 2025-01 to 2025-12. Unit: guest nights (person-nights).
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final) (表6-1 都道府県別訪問率（全目的）). Period: 2025-01 to 2025-12. Unit: percent of respondents.
Climate in Yamagata, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snowfall | Sun hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | -3°C (26°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 103 cm | 80 |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | -3°C (26°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 79 cm | 100 |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | -0°C (31°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 35 cm | 140 |
| Apr | 16°C (62°F) | 5°C (40°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 2 cm | 176 |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 0 cm | 196 |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 16°C (60°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 0 cm | 165 |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 20°C (68°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 0 cm | 144 |
| Aug | 30°C (87°F) | 21°C (70°F) | 153 mm (6.0 in) | 0 cm | 172 |
| Sep | 26°C (78°F) | 17°C (62°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 0 cm | 137 |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 0 cm | 132 |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 4°C (38°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 4 cm | 102 |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | -1°C (31°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 66 cm | 74 |
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency, climatological normals (1991–2020) (station page). Snowfall is the monthly total of fresh snow.
Nearby prefectures
- Akita Tohoku region · capital Akita
- Miyagi Tohoku region · capital Sendai
- Fukushima Tohoku region · capital Fukushima
- Niigata Chubu region · capital Niigata
Sources
Official and primary sources used for this page. Checked October 8, 2026.
- Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final), summary report (regional survey) – 都道府県別 訪問者数・消費単価・旅行消費額・平均泊数（地域調査） — 2025-01 to 2025-12
- Japan Tourism Agency, Overnight Travel Statistics Survey, 2025 annual (final) – 都道府県別 延べ宿泊者数（外国人・全体）、2024年・2019年は同調査の各年確定値 — 2025-01 to 2025-12
- Japan Tourism Agency, Consumption Trend Survey for Foreigners Visiting Japan, 2025 annual (final) – 表6-1 都道府県別訪問率（全目的） — 2025-01 to 2025-12
- Japan Meteorological Agency, climatological normals (1991–2020) — monthly climatological normals 1991–2020
To cite or link to this page: Yamagata — Japan Pocket Guide, https://japanpocketguide.com/prefectures/yamagata/